Just do it

By Alex P. Vidal

“Let us try to teach generosity and altruism, because we are born selfish.”—Richard Dawkins

POLITICIANS, or candidates in the May 9, 2022 election who distribute goods and cash during normal times, should now come out in the open and duplicate or repeat their noble performances in the regions badly hit by the recent super storm “Odette.”

It is not enough to just make a public appeal for fellow politicians to “share your blessings.” Appeal is good, action is another thing.

Like what Nike has suggested, “Just do it” or don’t wait for others to make the first move before making a move.

It is best if generous politicians will fly directly to the badly damaged cities and municipalities without any TV camera, social media publicists or “Tiktokers” that will chronicle their kindness.

A silent deed is the most noble deed. A real kind heart doesn’t need advertisement or publicity.

Now is the right time for them not to let their right hands know what their left hands are doing.

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IF it is true that the calamity funds in the Philippines have been depleted, government leaders shouldn’t be ashamed to ask for help from other sources abroad.

There should be no more dilly-dallying; each day is crucial since many regions recently hit by super storm “Odette” are still wallowing in the darkness with no electricity and enough food supplies to sustain the residents while they recover.

Others might spend Christmas and New Year with no electrical power.

The major concern is humanitarian or survival—food, clothing, shelter.

If not yet (meaning, calamity funds can still be tapped for the recent calamity)—and government leaders will just make an alibi that the funds have been consummated in the purchase of pandemic vaccines and other medical supplies—it will be inhuman to let the typhoon victims suffer and ignore their sufferings.

Governments abroad are always prepared to assist other governments in need of calamity assistance. It happened before and countries devastated by cyclones and tornados were able to recover fast when foreign assistance poured.

Calamities and disasters brought by typhoons, earthquakes, tsunami, volcanic eruptions aren’t man-made; they’re all force majeure or “Act of God.”

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Nobody is exempted if the mayhem is widespread.

Rich or poor, super storms will inundate rivers and destroy houses made of light and concrete materials in the boondocks and urban villages, crops, farmlands and other agricultural and private properties.

We have the International Disaster Assistance (IDA) that provides critical humanitarian assistance in response to natural disasters, conflicts, and other emergencies around the world.

Interventions provide people in need with food, shelter, health care, psychosocial support, and complementary activities that support relief, recovery, and resilience.

IDA funding helps ensure that people fleeing conflicts and natural disasters have access to lifesaving services in the countries of their displacement.

According to InterAction, natural disasters affect approximately 200 million people globally each year; that number is currently trending upward, as is the cost in damages (from $90 billion in 2015 to $147 billion in 2016).

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The internet site Askmen asked its readers whether–if it was legal–they would like to have two wives. Twenty-nine percent said yes…According to Pet World, most turkeys and giraffes are bisexual…Forty-three percent of all men have cried because of love-related issues. (Askmen)…According to Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Our friends should be companions who inspire us, who help us rise to our best.”

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two dailies in Iloilo.—Ed)